The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-08-20
COL. ASHFORD'S
EXPLANATION !

Though no order was published
in the papers yesterday, calling the
Honolulu Rifles to their armory, the
attendance of the members last
night was surprisingly large. After
dividing the battalion into sections
and forming a square, Lieutenant
CoInel V. V. Ashford stepped in the
center and addressed them. lie
apologized for bringing up per-
sonal matter, but he wanted to clear
himself in their minds in regard to
certain lying charges, and show
them that that they had not q dis
honorable man for a commander.
Rumor had him a bribe-taker and
other things injurious to his char
acter, which, if true, would not en-
title him to the goodwill and conf
dence of the Honolulu Rifles.
Nearly one year ago there was
talk of the United States abolishing
the treaty with the Sandwich ISL
ands, and there was also talk of
treaty with Canada. BY arranging
with Canada to take up the treaty
if the United States should abolish
it, the effect would be this: Canada
would hold a club over the United
States, as it were, and the latter
would not give up the treaty, not
because they greatly desire it them
selves, but because they would not
want Canada to have it. Mr.. Glib
son, then Premier, jumped at the
idea, and the King favored it. Col.
Ashford being well acquainted with
the Canadian people, was thought
to be just the man to work the
affair. Little by little, however,
Mr.. Gibson drifted away from the
scheme. During the latter part of
May, while Col. Ashford was away
at Hilo, Cabinet councils were held,
and talk of disbandiug the Homo
lulu Rifles was frequently heard.
Gibson and Rosa were the principal
movers of the disarmament question.
When the colonel returned to Homo
lulu Mr.. Gibson was very anxious
to see him. Mr.. Gibson had receiv-
ed important news from the East as
he said, and he deemed it advisable
that the Colonel proceed to Canada
with all possible haste. Affairs being
then in an unsettled state the case
was placed by the Colonel before the
League, an organization probably
known by this time; the Colonel was
afraid to say he was member Of
the League at that time, but he is
not now.
The Government was to pay Col.
Ashford $4,000 and expenses of the
trip, which. would occupy six
months. The "Council of Thirteen"
as leaders of the League were
termed, were acquainted with the
particulars of the affairs as it pro-
crossed, and the Col. was advised
by them.
Mr.. Gibson wanted the Col. to
take an order on Mckinley, the
Consul at San Francisco, but it
would not work. He (the Col. } III
sisted on L. $. gold.
On the 28th of June, two days be-
fore the mass meeting, the Col. re-
ceiyed his commission, signed by
the King and sealed, also $4,000.
The Commission (the usual form)
was read to the meeting of the Coun-
Gil. The matter was again placed
before the Council of Thirteen, that
very night, and they advised him to
place the money in his pocket and
wait developments. All the present
Cabinet Ministers were there and Mr..
Godfrey Brown was one of the first to
say "Take it and keep it,.
Since then (Aug. 12th) the Col.
sent a letter to the Minister of For
eign Affairs saying he was awaiting
instructions as to the carrying out
of the mission. The Minister re-
piled by letter dated August 10Th,
stating that the matter was being
discussed by the Cabinet. On Aug
ust 10th Col. Ashford received ano-
Their letter from the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, asking the return
of the commission, to have it can
celled and also the $4,000, less a
reasonable amount for expenses and
loss of time, that may have occurred.
The matter has been placed be-
fore the Council of Thirteen" and
the Col. will abide by their decision.
Members of the "Council of
Thirteen" His Elk. L. A. Thurston,
His Elk. c. w. Ashford, DR.. Tucker,
Rev. Mr.. Olsen, III. p. Robinson,
and Mr.. j. II. Soper, in response to
calls took the floor and individually
corroborated the Coils statements